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Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode Assemblies Fabricated by Layer-by-Layer Electrostatic Self-Assembly Techniques†

  1. André D. Taylor1,*,
  2. Marc Michel2,
  3. Ryan C. Sekol1,
  4. Jeremy M. Kizuka2,
  5. Nicholas A. Kotov2,
  6. Levi T. Thompson2

Article first published online: 24 SEP 2008

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.200701516

Issue

Advanced Functional Materials

Advanced Functional Materials

Volume 18, Issue 19, pages 3003–3009, October 9, 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Taylor, A. D., Michel, M., Sekol, R. C., Kizuka, J. M., Kotov, N. A. and Thompson, L. T. (2008), Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode Assemblies Fabricated by Layer-by-Layer Electrostatic Self-Assembly Techniques. Advanced Functional Materials, 18: 3003–3009. doi: 10.1002/adfm.200701516

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Chemical Engineering, Yale University P.O. Box 208286, New Haven, CT 06520-8286 (USA)

  2. 2

    Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Michigan, 3074 H.H. Dow Building 2300 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (USA)

*Department of Chemical Engineering, Yale University P.O. Box 208286, New Haven, CT 06520-8286 (USA).

  1. †

    We acknowledge the UM OVPR office for a faculty seed grant awarded to the first author. We also thank Professor Phillip Savage for generous use of lab space and equipment.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 OCT 2008
  2. Article first published online: 24 SEP 2008
  3. Manuscript Revised: 16 MAY 2008
  4. Manuscript Received: 24 DEC 2007
Corrected by:

Correction: Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode Assemblies Fabricated by Layer-by-Layer Electrostatic Self-Assembly Techniques

Vol. 18, Issue 21, n/a, Article first published online: 4 NOV 2008

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Keywords:

  • carbon fibers;
  • carbon nanotubes;
  • catalysis;
  • fuel cells;
  • layer-by-layer deposition;
  • platinum

Graphical Abstract

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Fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) are fabricated using layer-by-layer assembly (LBL). The MEAs contain high activity, carbon-supported Pt electrocatalysts synthesized via supercritical fluid and selective heterogeneous nucleation methods. Due to the ultrathin nature and excellent homogeneity characteristics of LBL materials, higher Pt utilizations are observed using these nanocomposite assemblies as catalyst and gas diffusion layers.

Abstract

High activity, carbon supported Pt electrocatalysts were synthesized using a supercritical fluid method and a selective heterogeneous nucleation reaction to disperse Pt onto single walled carbon nanotube and carbon fiber supports. These nanocomposite materials were then incorporated into catalyst and gas diffusion layers consisting of polyelectrolytes, i.e., Nafion, polyaniline, and polyethyleneimine using layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly techniques. Due to the ultrathin nature and excellent homogeneity characteristics of LBL materials, the LBL nanocomposite catalyst layers (LNCLs) yielded much higher Pt utilizations, 3,198 mW mgPt−1, than membrane electrode assemblies produced using conventional methods (∼800 mW mgPt−1). Thinner membranes (100 bilayers) can further improve the performance of the LNCLs and these layers can function as catalyzed gas diffusion layers for the anode and cathode of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.

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